Genesis 29.31-35 “When the Lord saw that Leah was hated he opened her womb…”

1. Born – Reuben

Meaning – “behold a son.”

Response – “…for now my husband will love me.”

2. Born – Simeon

Meaning – “he has heard” (from the original Shim’on or Simon)

Response – “…Because the Lord has heard that I am hated.”

3. Born – Levi

Meaning – “attached”

Response – “…Now this time my husband will be attached to me.”

4. Born – Judah

Meaning – “praised” (from the Hebrew name Yehudah)

Response – “This time I will praise the Lord.”

The first three sons her focus was on herself and her husband, trying to win his love. Her fourth son she finally gets it and praises God for the blessing of her son. What’s interesting to me is that Judah is the one that she praises God for. Judah, the one who had sacrificial love and took the punishment for his younger brother, Benjamin, (Genesis 44.33) just like Jesus’ sacrificial love taking on our punishment. Judah, who’s blood line carries the Savior of the World. It’s this son, Judah, that she finally turns to God and realizes it’s He that blesses and it’s for His name’s sake that He does bless – for our good and His glory (Romans 8.28).